Marvel's Cosmic Realm of Kings

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In the aftermath of War of Kings, Dan Abnett and Andy Lannning shed light on the new direction for Marvel's galaxies.

By Richard George & Jesse Schedeen

As the convention season has marched on this summer, Marvel fans have been anxiously awaiting new announcements regarding the publisher's cosmic-oriented books. With War of Kings drawing to a close, many are understandably curious what's coming next for the line. Does the fallout of Black Bolt's "T-Bomb" have consequences for the universe at large? Will there be a new series launching in the wake of War of Kings?

The answers appear to be yes and not exactly. As Marvel revealed at Wizard World Chicago Chicago Comic-Con this weekend, the next big story push for Marvel's cosmic books is called Realm of Kings. Thanks to Black Bolt's weapon and the resulting rift in space, a mysterious new realm has appeared that has both the Inhumans and the Shi'Ar very interested.

Like all of Marvel's recent cosmic storylines, Realm of Kings will begin with a one-shot prologue issue in November (coming in the wake of next month's War of Kings: Who Will Rule?). The story will then spin into the pages of two new mini-series – Realm of Kings: Inhumans and Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard. Naturally, both Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy will also factor heavily into the story.

Once again, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are at the forefront of this cosmic event. They'll be penning all four books for the duration of Realm of Kings. We got in touch with the duo through e-mail and asked all about Realm of Kings and how it builds on the events of War of Kings. It appears fans of cosmic Marvel have plenty more to look forward to in 2010.

IGN Comics: War of Kings certainly raises plenty of questions, but let's start with the larger publishing plan of Marvel's cosmic books. What is the larger Realm of Kings concept or storyline about? How will the cosmic titles reflect the end of War of Kings? What can fans expect in the two one-shots that immediately follow War of Kings?

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning: Realm of Kings is about the physical and political repercussions of the War Of Kings... and believe us, the shock waves will be massive in many respects!

The ending of War of Kings is epic, and it changes both the power structures of the Marvel Cosmos andmesses up the geography too. This is no short term thing, either. The changes will affect the post-WOK Cosmos for a long time. The two one shots reflect these immediate changes: the first handles the political fall-out, and the second the 'geographical'.

IGN Comics: Obviously the "Realm of Kings" is the larger branding for the post-WOK world, but is can fans take the concept literally? Has this T-Bomb created an entirely new dimension or world?

DnA: Kind of. Except, bigger...

IGN Comics: There are two mini-series focusing on each side of the conflict - Inhumans and Imperial Guard. What can you tell us about these titles? Will these focus on particular characters or the larger, more universal role of these two civilizations?

DnA: We're hoping they'll deal with both, really. We've loved exploring both sides of the war, and playing with these great parts of the MU - the very Sixties, Stan and Jack cosmic wonder of the Inhumans and the very Seventies Chris and Dave SF brilliance of the Shi'Ar. These series will look at the roles thrust upon these two civilizations, but it will also focus in on character, particularly characters with very specific roles of tasks in the post-war world(s). We're looking forward to the some serious court intrigue with the Inhuman royals, and some crunching combat SF with the Imperial Guard.

IGN Comics: One of the most powerful moments of War of Kings #6 was Gladiator being confronted by the needs of his people – effectively being forced to accept a leadership role. Does he even want that? Is there any other choice?

DnA: Probably not. There are few things he really wants anymore. His spirit is damaged and his ideals have been dented. But he's a man of duty. However, the leadership of the Shi'Ar Imperium is never uncontested...

IGN Comics: Another great concept that grew throughout the series was the idea that Black Bolt, easily the more sympathetic king, was the one resorting to brash, over-powered decisions. As you wrote the series, were you surprised at how the tables seemed to turn over time? Did you purposefully try to level the playing field in that last issue?

DnA: Well, it's kind of how we planned it, to be honest. BB is much more sympathetic than Vulcan, right from the get go, and the Inhuman/Kree cause generates more sympathy too. We wanted to them act entirely in character (not personally and 'culturally') and yet not simply end up with goodies and baddies. Like so many wars, there are huge grey areas between right and wrong. How far do you go? Do you keep following a good man if he leads you down a bad path? Do you support a bad man if he's the only chance there is of saving your people and your civilisation?

IGN Comics: Let's talk Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy. War of Kings largely operated outside of the realm of these two titles. They were, of course, involved and yet not critical. How critical will these two ongoing titles be in the aftermath?

DnA: We wanted both books to be significant enough during WOK that it was good to read the wider story, without just repeating the same material from the core book. Nova was very much a major war story set during the WOK. The Guardians got more involved in the meat of the war's politics, and will have a direct hand in the way the war plays out into its aftermath. The storylines in both books will be driven by the WOK aftermath: Nova in a 'professional' sense, in that he's the guy on duty who can best start picking up the pieces, and Guardians in a personal sense of... well, the War's going to do a really, really bad thing to them that they have to deal with.

IGN Comics: The end of War of Kings leaves the fates of Black Bolt and Vulcan in the air to a degree - and "replaces" them with a tear in the fabric of space and time. Are these two concepts going to be dealt with immediately or can fans expect that to be more of a long-term storyline? I'm guessing you want to keep fans guessing on these topics, but what can you tell us for now?

DnA: Their ultimate fates may not be revealed immediately, but their fates will definitely drive what both the Inhumans and Shi'Ar do in the aftermath. Black Bolt and Vulcan are deeply bound up in this in that their influence propels the action of many storylines even in their absence.

IGN Comics: One more on the topic of this tear in space. Literally and figuratively, there is now a gaping hole in the cosmic structure and order. No doubt others will attempt to conquer or fill this void. Can you give us some hints or an idea as to who or what this might be - and where we'll see them appearing?

DnA: There are all sorts of things coming... old, new, odd, scary, big, small. They'll becoming from the strangest places too, some returning to the MU after a long time, some making their first visit. And we'll see them in both regular books and both mini-series.

IGN Comics: Is there anything else you'd like to add about War of Kings and the upcoming Realm of Kings?

DnA: If you've enjoyed the ride so far, hang on. It's going to get wilder! We seem to have a rep for throwing completely unexpected twists and surprises at the reader, and we're not stopping yet. And if you've not tried the cosmic fun yet, but have heard the crazy rumors, ROK is great place to start!